Power Consumption Evaluation of Next Generation Open Radio Access Network

Via enhancing vendor variety and encouraging network openness, the open radio access network (O-RAN) holds a possibility for achieving this objective. The O-RAN executes network functions in three types of units: central units (CU), distributed units (DU), and radio units (RU). O-RAN has evolved as a tool to deliver spectrum sharing and cost-effective solutions. However, this will result in a rise in network infrastructure and power consumption (PC). To assess the PC, a model is required to measure the trade-offs of a server undergoing virtualisation in an O-RAN infrastructure. Different parameters, such as the number virtual machines (VMs), system’s resource blocks (RBs) and bandwidth have been used and compared with bare virtualization and traditional cloud networks. Virtualised network (VRAN) has resulted about 50% reduction in the total PC in comparison with traditional cloud networks. However, the O-RAN has produced more PC compared to VRAN, about 30% in the total PC and 10% in the cooling PC. Unless the advantages of O-RAN are fully utilised, the addition of extra units within the O-RAN, specifically the DU servers, may result in more PC that might advocate against the O-RAN.